"I came to an organization that has the same values and the championship ways," Gay told NJ Advance Media. "That, and coming to a team that has a quarterback.

"Nothing against young quarterbacks. Some are great. Last year the Eagles had a young guy and they won the Super Bowl, but you put that in your decision because you are on the tail end of your career, and if you can get with a Pro Bowl quarterback that is great."

Gay, 33, went to two Super Bowls and won one as a teammate of Manning contemporary Ben Roethlisberger, but he was released by the Steelers in mid-March. He signed a one-year deal with a base salary of $1.01 million under the veteran's Minimum Salary Benefit.

"You can see him kind of coaching guys on the side," Giants coach Pat Shurmur said. "We have outstanding coaches on defense, but when you add a veteran presence to a group of young players, we're hopeful that it will rub off some."

In his first free agency (in 2012), Gay signed with the Cardinals, who went 5-11 behind starting quarterbacks Kevin Kolb, John Skelton, Ryan Lindley and Brian Hoyer. No repeating that mistake.

"It's a blessing," Gay said of his durability. "You try to do everything right and go by the book, work out and get your rest. Hopefully, at the end of the game, you come out standing straight up."

Gay lost his starting job to an undrafted free agent with the Steelers in 2017. He slid into a nickel cornerback role similar to what he has played during Giants' minicamp and OTAs, including when he jumped a route for an interception off quarterback Davis Webb during Tuesday's practice.

"Every year since I got in the league, you never want to get too comfortable," Gay said. "It's the same approach as when I was a rookie. You want to give the best William Gay effort possible. Do whatever I can to help the team win. I'm here to compete, wherever it may be."

"It's championship-caliber service," Gay said. "Everybody has their hand in the pile from the front office to the cafeteria to the security. That's the family they are accustomed to, and that's what I was accustomed to in Pittsburgh."